Posts: 272 Location: Scotland
Thu 15 Oct, 2009 6:07 am
I'm going to agree that that is absolutely not 15th C.
as to when it is, I would put it at between 1550 and 1650, with my most likely dating to 1575 +/- 5-10 years maximum
points of identification:
moustache points, and pointed beard, fashionable at that period, not 15th C.
figure-of eight ruff: came into fashion from the late 1550's, replacing the pickadil collar. that the ruff is extremely tight ridged in the carving, and relatively large, indicates that it is more likely to be later, approximately 1570's and onward.
armour, large pauldron (depicted as a single-peice though possibly very tightly articulated), develops from the smaller articulated spaulders worn in 15th and early 16th c harness to cover the breast and eliminate voiders.
Armour, elbow cops lacking large side tabs.
bulbous lamed tassets, extending to midway down the thigh. A harness of the 15th C would have had a set of fauld lames on the body, and single-peice tassets over poleyns. The design of these tassets, however, is bulbous, indicating that they are to accommodate a trunk-hose fashionable from the 1560's onward
Narrow shoes. As this is german, late 15th and early 16th C would most likely depict the fashionable "bear-paw" style shoes, which are much wider witha splayed toe. this instead depicts a far narrower foot profile, more appropriate to the 1570's.
Open-visored close armet is a distinctively 16th century helmet in form.
Sword is potentially as early at 1530, but with what appears to be at least two complex hilt bars, I would say more likely 1560's or later.
here is an effigy from circa 1581 (although itself possibly made in 1594, however, on the lady's death) of dutch origin, which shows similar fashion and armour styles.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roelipilami/1550746884/
another from 1590, of czech origin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roelipilami/1550829014/
and finally, here is a photograph of an effigy slab of dutch origin from the very late15th C. for contrast.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roelipilami/2592125247/
which clearly shows the clean-shaven look, a complete lack of any ruff at the collar, the flared elbow cop, the fauld, solid plate tassets, and wider splayed toes.
(please note the images are not my photography.)
I do not have qualifications in history, I am a mere reenactor and amateur historian with a good few years of study of fashion,arms and armour under my belt, so I dont make any claims for absolute accuracy.